Studies on Dermatoses Caused by Crops Cultivation and its Prevention

Epidemiological surveys on occupational dermatoses in farmers growing okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) and related experimental studies were undertaken. From the field survey over a period of two years, the incidence rates of dermatoses suffering from okra growing were considerably high (46.3-53.9%), and if workers are engaged in the work without effective protective gloves and clothes, nearly all persons are assumed to be suffered from dermatoses following okra farming. Among 118 subjects tested, 16(13.6%) were reacted with okra components by patch testing and okra workers showed relatively higher positive rate (15.7%) than the others (6.9%). By experimental studies using guinea pigs, the components of okra indicated relatively high potency of primary irritating reactions, but not the allergic and phototoxic reaction. Based on those data with epidemiological observations, the mechanism of dermatoses due to okra working were estimated to be consist of the following three effects; (1) mechanical reactions caused by direct contact to a large quality of okra, (2) primary irritating reactions to okra components, and (3) allergic reaction with okra components. Some proposals for effective preventive procedures against okra dermatoses were also examined and discussed.